Dry-kiln



(No Model.) 2' SheetsSheet 1."

P. KIRK.

DRY KILN.

No. 596,212. Patented 1366.28, 1897.

Invenfar F rank [in Kirk Witnesses:

2 Shets-$he6t 2. P. KIRK.

DRY KILN.

(No Model.)

Patented Dec. 28,1897.

w; n m e .n f I M/ I I I r I,

- F m 4 F" UNITED STATES FRANKLIN KIRK, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

DRY-KILN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 596,212, dated December28, 1897.

Application filed August 5 1896.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANKLIN KIRK, of Kansas City, Jackson county,Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inDry-Kilns, of which the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming apart thereof.

My invention relates to dry-kilns, and more particularly to kilns fordrying lumber, &c. and the object of the invention is to produce a kilnof this character which is simple, durable, and comparativelyinexpensive of construction.

The invention consists in certain novel and peculiar features ofconstruction and combinations of parts, which will be hereinafterdescribed and claimed.

In order that the. invention may be fully understood, reference is to behad to the said accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents aperspective view of a kiln partly broken away to show its inte riorconstruction. Fig. 2 represents on an enlarged scale a View of one ofthe heaters and its connecting-pipes, said heater being shown partly inelevation and partly in section. Fig. 3 represents a horizontal sectionof the same, the pipes being omitted. Fig. 4 represents a cross-sectionof one of the tracksupporting pipes. Fig. 5 represents a sectional viewwhich shows the trap for catching the condensation of the steam.

Referring to the drawings in detail, 1 (168-, ignates a kiln ofair-tight constructiomand 2 designates two or more series of verticalpipes which are fitted down upon the standplates 3, spiked or otherwiserigidly secured to the cross-timbers 4 at the base of the structure.

5 designates iron cross bars which are mounted upon the upper ends ofthe pipes or tubular standards 2, and 6 designateslongitudinally-extending rails which are mounted upon said bars 5 andextend longitudinally of the kiln. Said track-rails are arrangedvertically over the pipes or tubular standards 2, and at such pointsplates 7 rest upon the flanges of said rails. Said plates are providedwith apertures 8, which register with apertures 9 in the cross-bars 5below, and extending through said apertures are bolts 10,

Serial No. 601,782. (No model.)

engaged at their upper ends by clamping-nuts 11 and having theirhook-shaped or curved lower ends 12 engaging openings 13 at oppositepoints of the pipes or tubular standards 2, as shown clearlyin Fig. 4.These rails in the customary manner will in practice incline downwardfrom one end of the kiln to the other, so that the trucks 14, upon whichthe timbers or boards 15 are builded, may be easily disposed in therequired position. Such inclination is not shown in the accompanyingdrawings. Arranged transversely and at suitable distances apart withinthe kiln and below said tracks are a number of heaters, consisting ofsteam heads or chambers 16 and the connecting-tubes 17. These heaters,though not so shown, will in practice be arranged at a slightinclination, so that their drainage may be perfect, and at their upperends inlet valve-controlled steampipes 18 communicate with steam headsor chambers, and said pipes are coupled to the supply-pipe 19,which maybe connected to the steam-dome of a boiler or any other suitable sourceof steam-supply. The opposite end or head of each heater is connected,by means of an escape-pipe 20, with the drain-pipe 21.

Thus it will be seen that by continuous circulation of steam through theheaters and various pipes the temperature is raised to a very highdegree,which may be regulated,of course, at pleasure in order that themoisture may be quickly driven from the lumber 15. In order to carry offthis moisture or vapor, I provide a forced circulation of air and employa system of metal pipes arranged as follows:

22 designates a pipe which is arranged externally of the kiln at asuitable point. Said pipe connects atone end with a rotary-fan casing 22within which is mounted an ordinary fan upon the shaft 23, andsaid fanis driven by means of a belt connected to any suitable counter-shaft orother motor, (not shown,) said belt being adapted to engage the pulley24 upon said shaft. The opposite end of the pipe 22 is coupled to thepipe 25, which extends longitudinally of the kiln and below the middle,preferably, of the heaters, and connected to and projecting inwardlyfrom said pipe below each heater is a pipe 26, coupled at its .upper endto the transversely-extending perforated pipe 27, which is arrangedadjacent or between two of the pipes or tubes 17 of the heater, as shownmost clearly in Figs. 2 and 3.

Located centrally within the kiln and preferably at the apex or ridge ofits roof is a longitudinally-extending perforated pipe 28, which pipe issecured by clips or other supports 29 in such position. At one end ofthe kiln it extends upwardly through the roof and transversely thereof,as shown at 30, and is carried down and connected to the fan-casing, asshown at 31. By this arrangement it is obvious that the rapid rotationof the fan draws the air from the interior of the kiln into the pipe 28and discharges it continuously back into the kiln at a lower altitude,such discharge taking place from the perforated pipes 27 and impingingdirectly upon the heaters, as indicated in Fig. 2, thereby raising thetemperature of the air and increasing its absorptive capacity.

Thus it will be seen that the heat gener ated by the steam quicklyexudes moisture from the timber, and this moisture is exhausted from theinterior of the kiln by means of the circulation of air established.Consequently the timber is thoroughly seasoned in a comparatively shorttime.

Owing to the fact that the steam pipes and heaters will be inclined, thecondensation of steam drains off; but in order to carry oif thecondensation from the air-pipe I employ a trap 32, which communicateswith the pipe 22 through one or more apertures 33 and is provided with adrain-pipe 34. In order to reliably insure against the passage of thewater past said apertures, I arrange within the pipes, just in rear ofsaid apertures, the conical perforated deflectors 35, which arearranged, preferably, to overhang said apertures, as shown in Fig. 5. Bythis arrange ment the air has free passage through said pipes, asindicated by the arrows in said figure, while the flow of water isretarded in order that it may all pass through either one or the otherof said apertures into the trap 32 below. By this arrangement also it isobvious that a constant and continuous circulation of dry hot air takesplace throughout the kiln, and the vapor exuded from the timber escapesby way of the drain-pipe 34-.

From the above description it will be apparent that I have produced adry-kiln which is positive and reliable in operation and in which theseasoning of the timber is facilitated.

It is to be understood, of course, that slight changes in the detailconstruction and arrangement of parts may be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a dry-kiln, the combination with a suitable apparatus to heat thelumber therein, of apparatus for introducing dry air into the kiln andexhausting moistened air therefrom, comprising a fan-blower, a pipeconnected thereto and provided with a condenser, a pipe extendinglongitudinally and centrally of the kiln below the heating apparatus,and having perforated branch pipes arranged at the under side of andadapted to discharge upon the said heating apparatus, and a perforatedpipe in the upper portion of the kiln to receive the moistened air andpass it back to the fan-blower, substantially as described.

2. In a dry-kiln, the combination of an airtight structure to receivelumber-carryiug trucks, and apparatus for introducing dry air into thekiln and exhausting moistened air therefrom, consisting of a fan-blower,a moist-air-reeeiving pipe, a pipe connecting the same with the blowerand provided with perforations, a trap below and connnunicating with thepipe through said perforations, conical perforated deflectors 35, withinthe said pipe adjacent to said perforations, and a discharge-pipeconnecting the blower with the interior of the structure.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature

